One of Pembrokeshire’s greatest sporting events is back, bigger than ever and will be taking place today (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday!

Around 32,000 people are expected to be attracted to the event, with 8,500 athletes from all over the world set to take part.

This will be the ninth year of the multi-sport event held in Tenby and continues to grow massively each year, and already expecting entries to soar for next year’s event - Long Course X (celebration of the event’s 10 year anniversary).

There is a multitude of distances and a much sought-after fourth medal for those athletes that complete all three events at the longest distances throughout the three days.

The Wales Swim kicks-off at North Beach tonight (Friday) at 7 pm. There is a mini-multiple discipline event ‘Taff Kids’ splash and dash event taking place at 5 pm, just before The Wales Swim.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is bike day where athletes cycle either 112 miles, 66 miles or 45 miles of The Wales Sportive, setting off from The Salterns car park with flames and cheering supporters surrounding the electric start line at 7 am and finishing in Tudor Square!

Sunday is the run day which rounds off the weekend. Athletes will be running The Wales Marathon (starting in Tudor Square at 10 am), The Wales Half Marathon (from Main Street, Pembroke, at 12 noon), The Wales 10k (from Manorbier Castle at 1.30 pm) or The Wales 5k (from Tudor Square at 9.55 am). All distances end on the amazing red carpet finish in Tenby where the atmosphere will be electric.

Alongside the Long Course Weekend will also be the return of the Wales Triathlon Show at Tenby Leisure Centre for its second year. The show opened yesterday (Thursday) and welcomes all members of the public. It features over 30 exhibitors showcasing the very best of the sports leading brands providing the opportunity for visitors to see, try and buy their products.

Defending champions, elite athletes Parys Edwards and Marcus Hultgren, are returning to Pembrokeshire following their victories 12 months ago, but will they be basking in glory and successful in holding onto their crowns in 2018?